Shim take-up ring for pile connection

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shim fixture adapted for use on a structure employing an elongated cylindrical leg which accommodates an internal cylindrical anchoring pile. The leg slidably accommodates the pile through the center passage thereof as the pile is embedded into an anchoring substratum to a desired depth. The non-uniform annular opening defined between contiguous walls of the pile and the leg respectively is provided with a shim type take-up ring. The latter is fabricated from a series of discrete, circularly arranged shim segments, each segment having a desired thickness adapted to best be urged through a portion of the irregularly spaced annular opening.

United States Patent 1191" Dubu'isson et al.

111' 3,797,258 [451 Mar. 19', 1974 [54] SHIM TAKE-UP RING FOR PILE CONNECTION [22] Filed: .July 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 270,893

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,568,452 3/1971 Stifler, Jr. 6l/53.7 X 3,316,723

5/1967 Schutte, 61/63 X 2,598,329 5/1952 Wilson 61/465 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-T. H. Whaley; C. G. Ries [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention relates to a shim fixture adapted for use on a structure employing an elongated cylindrical leg which accommodates an internal cylindrical anchoring pile. The leg slidably accommodates the pile through the center passage thereof as the pile is embedded into an anchoring substratum to a desired depth. The nonuniform annular opening defined between contiguous walls of the pile and the leg respectively is provided with a shim type take-up ring. The latter is fabricated from a series of discrete, circularly arranged shim segments, each segment having a desired thickness adapted to best be urged through a portion of the irregularly spaced annular opening.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Pmmmmm mm FIG. 3

FIG. 1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the use of pile anchored structures, particularly marine platforms at offshore locations, it is common practice to guide anchoring piles to the subsea location by driving the same. Normally, the marine platform legs are formed of circular cross sectioned members which extend from a position above the waters surface, to the floor thereof. The leg or pile guide is further designed to slidably receive a pile lowered therethrough. Sufficient spacing is maintained between the contiguous walls of said pile and guide leg to permit a free downward movement thereof.

The pile will usually descend of its own weight for some distance into the substratum. This distance is contingent, however, on the consistency of the substratum, the depth of water, and the weight of the pile. In a generally deltaic substratum for example, the pile will tend to advance much more readily than in a more consolidated soil. In any event, the pile will approach a point in depth where, due to its own weight, it will no longer penetrate the soil.

Thereafter, it becomes necessary to further urge the pile in the usual manner by a driving mechanism applied to the upper end. The usual pile-driving mechanism includes a form of hammer or anvil which is powered to strike the pile upper end whereby to advance the unit downwardly. a

As the pile reaches its depth ofv refusal or desired anchoring depth, the upper end is severed a predetermined distance beyond the guiding leg. A peripheral weld then connects the respective pile and leg.

To facilitate this welding operation, normally one or more, and generally a plurality of intermediary, arcuate shaped shim members are forcibly inserted to substantially occupy the annulus between the pile and the leg wall. Each of said members is then mutually welded to the shim whereby to fix the respective members into a unitary structure.

During such a pile setting and welding operation, the pile, in the course of being hammered downwardly, will not usually remain coaxial with the leg guide passage. Consequently, at the maximum pile embedment depth, the spacing between the pile and leg upper end will define an irregular annulus.

It has been the practice heretofore to individually forcibly urge separate shims into this annulus whereby to provide the necessary connection between the pile and the leg. This method for inserting discrete shim members is .a relatively costly phase of the operation since it is time consuming and not readily accomplished with the normal pile driving equipment.

- To avoid the difficulty in making the desired connection between anchoring pile and the guiding leg, the present arrangement provides a unitary, shim take-up ring assembly formed of discretesegments. Further, each segment corresponds with a peripheral section of the space in the above noted annulus. The composition of the shim ring is determined at that point of the piling operation when the pile is at its maximum insertion depth. Thereafter, the desired number of discrete shim segments are adjacently arranged and welded to define a unitary circular member, and thereafter welded into place.

2 The entire ring unit is initially slidably registered about the'upper end of the pile. It is then rotationally aligned to bring the respective: ring segments into proper alignment with the corresponding section of the annulus. When so aligned, the ring is forced or urged into place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a pair of support legs for a marine platform, which legs are anchored into the substratum. FIG. 2 is a segmentary view in cross section and on an enlarged scale of the upper end of one of said support legs showing the internally positioned pile. FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view of the shim insert ring. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the shim insert ring in place.

Referring to the drawings, a pile fastened leg 10 of the type contemplated is illustrated in conjunction with a marine platform. The latter is shown resting at the floor of a body of water and fastened to the latter by one or more piles 12. The platform can include any number of support legs 10 in accordance with weight to becarried at the upper end, and the use to which the platform is put. In any event, eacrh' substantially vertically arranged leg 10 is provided with the single cylindrical pile 12 which passes through a central passage defined by the leg wall. The pile lower end is embedded to a suitable depth into the substratum 13.

As a matter of convenience and economic practice, the respective platform legs 10 are formed of individual cylindrical components which are axially aligned, and welded at a successive peripheral joint 14. The respective platform legs 10 are provided with necessary cross bracing 17 to meet the physical requirements of the entire unit. A center passage formed along the interior of the respective legs is relatively-clear and substantially uniform in diameter. Thus, a pile 12 can be slid therealong without undue interference due to friction or other obstruction.

A piling operation as presently contemplated,occurs by gradually sliding pile 12 downwardly through the leg in segments. Each sequential pile segment is connected to the pile upper end as the latter progressively descends. It should be appreciated that the pile descent, to continue embedment thereof, is by hammering at the pile upper end with a pile driver or the like. This is normally achieved by providing the pile upper end with an overshot or similar cap which rests onthe pile upper edge in direct contact with the latter to receive the downward blow.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the point of maximum insertion or refusal; the pile 12 upper end will be offset, and out of concentric alignment with the guiding leg 10 such as to define a non-uniformly spaced annulus 16 thereabout. t

This annulus 16 is provided with a shim ring assembly 15 which is forced into place to substantially occupy the annulus 16. Such positioning permits the welding of said ring 15 to adjacent portions of pile l2 and leg 10. Shim ring 15 is formed of a plurality of shim segments 18, 19, 21 and 22. Each of the latter comprises an arcuate shaped metallic section having a desired thickness. The lower end of each segment is preferably tapered or otherwise conformed to enhance ready insertion thereof into a portion of annulus space 16.

At such time as pile 12 reaches its predetermined embedment depth, the upper end is severed from the re- 15 comprising four individual segments integrally connected, it is understood that such a ring can be made up of any number of similar segments. For example, cylindrical piles of the type presently contemplated can achieve a diameter in the order of magnitude of 36 inches and greater. For such a large member, a greater number shim segments are more appropriate toward providing the necessary firm fit between the respective pile and the leg.

For the same reason, while pile 12 and leg are theoretically substantially round in cross section, it is understood with this type of unit the degree of roundness is not necessarily accurate. As a consequence the spacingbetween the adjacently positioned walls will be correspondingly irregular, being narrow'at one point and broadening peripherally toward the opposite side.

Referring to FIG. 4, the respective shim'segments l8, 19, 21 and 22 as noted are shown arranged to peripherally correspond to sections of annulus 16. Said shim segments are thereafter assembled into a unitary ring member. The latter can be achieved through the use of intermediate spacers 23 disposed between the adjacent segments where they are welded. The actual connection between the respective, adjacently arranged shim segments 18, 19, 21 and 22 can be achieved by mutually welding the latter one to the other although the present arrangement of the alternately positioned spacers is advantageous.

A plurality of stop lugs 26 are fastened to the exterior of the composite shim ring to limit the distance the latter is urged into the annulus 16.

Operationally, with pile 12 severed at its upper end, shim ring 15 is slidably positioned about said upper end in registry with the inlet of annulus 16. In such position, the upper end of ring 15 will extend a desired distance beyond the pile 12 upper edge. An overshot member is then lowered into place, to engage the shim ring end surface. Said overshot member is formed by a generally cylindrical cap having a peripheral engaging edge which fits outwardly of the pile and yet abuts the corresponding edge of the shim ring 15.

The driving member or hammer is then actuated to bear against the overshot and urge shim ring 15 downwardly progressively and into annulus 16. In that the respective segments of ring 15 are aligned with corresponding sectors of the annulus opening 16, ring 15 will be forced into its place with a minimum degree of resistance.

Eventually the stop lugs 26 engage the upper wall of the guide leg 10 to determine therings ultimate position of ring 15. The latter is then mutually connected to the respective inner positioned pile 12 and outer positioned leg 10 by appropriate seam welding about the respective members.

Other modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Method for piling a structure into a substratum whereby to anchor said structure, the latter. including; at least one elongated guide member aligned in a generally upright disposition, and having guide passage walls extending longitudinally therethrough, which method includes the steps of,

slidably registering an anchoring pile within said guide passage and urging the same a desired depth into the substratum beneath said structure whereby to define an annular space intermediate the contiguously positioned walls of said guide passage and said pile respectively,

forming a cylindrical shim insert having peripheral wall thicknesses corresponding substantially to the thickness of peripheral sectors of said annular space, i

urging said shim member into said annular space.

. 2. In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of forming said circular insert member includes; providing a plurality of discrete shim segments, each thereof conforming to the thickness of a corresponding peripheral sector of said annular space.

3. In a structure having at least one support leg with a guide passage extending therethrough, said leg being disposed in substantial vertical alignment to slidablyreceive an anchoring pile in said'guide passage, said pile being adapted to be urged downwardly through the leg and be embedded in an anchoring media beneath said structure, and having an outer wall spaced from and substantially conforming in cross-sectional configuration to said guide passage opening to define an annular space therebetween;

a shim ring fixedly positioned at the support leg upper end within said annular space, said shim ring including a plurality of circularly arranged shim segments each of the latter having a thickness corresponding substantially to the width of a peripheral sector of said annular space, said shim ring segments being tapered upwardly from the lower end thereof to facilitate entry of said shim ring into the said annular space, and stop means carried externally of said shim ring and extending outwardly therefrom to limit entry of said ring into said annular space. V

4. In a guide structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said respective shim segments are mutually connected into a circular arrangement by intermediate members spaced therebetween.

5. In a guide structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said intermediate spacing members have a lesser thickness than the respective shim members connected thereto.

6. In a guide structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the tapered portion of said respective shim segments is limited to the lower end thereof. 

1. Method for piling a structure into a substratum whereby to anchor said structure, the latter including; at least one elongated guide member aligned in a generally upright disposition, and having guide passage walls extending longitudinally therethrough, which method includes the steps of, slidably registering an anchoring pile within said guide passage and urging the same a desired depth into the substratum beneath said structure whereby to define an annular space intermediate the contiguously positioned walls of said guide passage and said pile respectively, forming a cylindrical shim insert havIng peripheral wall thicknesses corresponding substantially to the thickness of peripheral sectors of said annular space, urging said shim member into said annular space.
 2. In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of forming said circular insert member includes; providing a plurality of discrete shim segments, each thereof conforming to the thickness of a corresponding peripheral sector of said annular space.
 3. In a structure having at least one support leg with a guide passage extending therethrough, said leg being disposed in substantial vertical alignment to slidably receive an anchoring pile in said guide passage, said pile being adapted to be urged downwardly through the leg and be embedded in an anchoring media beneath said structure, and having an outer wall spaced from and substantially conforming in cross-sectional configuration to said guide passage opening to define an annular space therebetween; a shim ring fixedly positioned at the support leg upper end within said annular space, said shim ring including a plurality of circularly arranged shim segments each of the latter having a thickness corresponding substantially to the width of a peripheral sector of said annular space, said shim ring segments being tapered upwardly from the lower end thereof to facilitate entry of said shim ring into the said annular space, and stop means carried externally of said shim ring and extending outwardly therefrom to limit entry of said ring into said annular space.
 4. In a guide structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said respective shim segments are mutually connected into a circular arrangement by intermediate members spaced therebetween.
 5. In a guide structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said intermediate spacing members have a lesser thickness than the respective shim members connected thereto.
 6. In a guide structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the tapered portion of said respective shim segments is limited to the lower end thereof. 